2828 North Pine Grove apartments, 2828 N Pine Grove Ave, Lakeview

The building has a domed entrance rotunda, and an ornate façade with a riotous profusion of Baroque terra cotta ornamentation. It was built in 1922 as the Pine Grove Apartment Hotel, and designed by Loewenberg & Loewenberg, a predecessor of the current firm.

The four Germanic turrets are among the building’s most distinctive features.

The interior of the entrance rotunda and the grand marble hallways repeat the bold hues of the building’s exterior.

2828 North Pine Grove is in the landmark Surf – Pine Grove District (pdf), which encompasses the 400 and 500 blocks of Surf St and part of the 2800 block of Pine Grove. The area has been featured in a number of major movies.

A number of the buildings in the district date to the 1890s, including the beautiful graystone rowhouses across the street from the building.

The location

2828 North Pine Grove is on a quiet, tree-lined one-way street. It’s a half-block north of the border of the Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods. The location is attractive and conveniently close to the park and a wide selection of bars, restaurants and neighborhood shops. Saint Joseph Hospital is a block east. Wrigley Field, Boystown and other attractions are within walking distance.

Active recreation opportunities are abundant, some of them unexpected. Fly fishing lessons, for example, are available at nearby North Pond in the park and the golf driving range at Diversey is open year-round. There are clay tennis courts and miniature golf adjacent to the driving range.

With a little bit of luck you might strike up a friendship with someone who has a boat in Diversey Harbor.

The park also offers endless opportunities for quiet relaxation.

Transportation. 2828 North Pine Grove’s access to public transportation is good, but not great.

The #151 bus, a block east, connects to the Loop via Michigan Ave. The #22 Clark and #36 Broadway buses are two short blocks west, and also connect to the Loop.